An alternative domain/boundary element technique for analyzing plates on two-parameter elastic foundations

This paper presents an alternative domain/boundary element technique for analyzing plates on two-parameter elastic foundations, in which the fundamental solution for the linear plate theory is used in the formulation. The main advantages of using this technique are that the kernels of the boundary integral equations are conveniently established and can be used for solving plate problems with various boundary conditions as well as mixed boundary conditions. The surface integration of the kernels for the foundation pressure is evaluated using a numerical procedure presented herein instead of the conventional Gauss-Legendre method, resulting in the reduction of computing time. The application of higher-order elements, i.e. cubic elements, for improving the solution is adopted. Numerical results of several problems with various boundary conditions are given to demonstrate the accuracy and validity of the method. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.